1
as in incomplete
lacking some necessary part
a diet deficient in calcium can lead to weak bones
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
woefully deficient eyesight kept him out of military service
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in lacking
not coming up to an expected measure or meeting a particular need
too deficient in common sense to be trusted to stay by himself
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deficient
But for those who are deficient—which can be confirmed by a blood test—supplements are necessary.
—
Erica Sweeney, Time, 28 May 2025
Ars Video Whether the Take It Down Act can survive a potential constitutional challenge or not, the 48-hour timeline may be deficient for other reasons, though, victim testimony suggests.
—Ashley Belanger – May 19, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2025
The Church’s ‘Good Faith’ In court filings, Riverside denies wrongdoing and insists Holmes’ case is legally deficient.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Apr. 2025
He's been deficient as a one-on-one defender; inconsistent as a bench scorer.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficient
Erica Sweeney, Time, 28 May 2025
Ars Video Whether the Take It Down Act can survive a potential constitutional challenge or not, the 48-hour timeline may be deficient for other reasons, though, victim testimony suggests.
—Ashley Belanger – May 19, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2025
The Church’s ‘Good Faith’ In court filings, Riverside denies wrongdoing and insists Holmes’ case is legally deficient.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Apr. 2025
He's been deficient as a one-on-one defender; inconsistent as a bench scorer.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficient
Adjective
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The satellite images provide data on the chlorophyll production at the surface, but the picture is still incomplete, the researchers said.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
19 June 2025
-
Focusing purely on career advancement or compensation is an incomplete approach for forward-thinking organizations.—
Chris Westfall,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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In April 2021, the European Commission proposed a draft of the Artificial Intelligence Act, aimed at introducing a system of AI classification based on risks to users (minimal, limited, high, unacceptable).—
Olena Orliuk,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
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Anything less is unacceptable to the Bosteros, as Boca’s fans are known.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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The Verge reported a Tesla Model Y robotaxi briefly traveled the wrong way down a road in Austin.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
23 June 2025
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Using the wrong cleaners, such as ammonia and glass cleaner, can cause permanent streaks and damage.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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But, Perfection got put on hiatus until July 12 for lacking the drugs an office surgery center should have, inadequate BBL patient exams among other violations.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
15 June 2025
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Some buildings carry policies based on outdated valuations, which can result in partial or inadequate payouts after a loss.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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Orlik, who was seventy-seven, was in poor health and desperate to get his pictures back.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
17 June 2025
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Despite being poor, India’s democracy thrived as its leaders managed the country’s political fortunes through open competition.—
ASHLEY J. TELLIS,
Foreign Affairs,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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That proposal was rejected due to insufficient funding.—
David A. Deptula,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
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During that time, Israel allowed in a fluctuating, almost always insufficient number of aid trucks.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
11 June 2025
Adjective
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As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.—
Kevin Fisher-Paulson,
San Francisco Chronicle,
8 June 2021
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My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.—
Tim Neville,
Outside Online,
23 Nov. 2020
Adjective
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Hatton was talking with reporters, bemoaning a bad break on the 17th ended his chances of winning.—
Doug Ferguson,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2025
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Bane is a 41 percent career 3-point shooter who, in his five prior seasons, never shot worse than 38.1 percent from deep in a season.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficient. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.
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